flats on P > replacing TI's

marco1977 · #1 04-15-2009, 02:26 PM

Hello everyone,

I'm currently playing my Pbass a lot

and while i like some of the things of my TI flat (tension, solo sound), I'm looking for strings with a litte more oompf and low end, especially in a band setting.

I play mostly old funk and soul, and nusoul...

I'm very interested which strings to try next...

(I did do a search, but there are many threads regarding TI's non secific or flats non specific, feel free to point me to another thread)

Thanks!

Buskman · #2 04-15-2009, 02:32 PM

You might give some Chromes a try. Once they break in (and lose the initial brightness), they sound great in the mix - good cut, but nice and warm with plenty of the aforementioned 'oompf'.

Their tension is a little higher than TI's (which flats aren't, though?), but not unreasonably so.

I had a well worn in set on a Squier VM Jazz of mine and was able to cop a pretty good Pino (think D'Angelo's "Voodoo") or Saadiq (think "Instant Vintage") vibe. Doesn't get any more nusoul than that!

marco1977 · #3 04-15-2009, 02:38 PM

mmm, Sounds exactly what i'm looking for. I don't worry about the tension that much, it's more the sound i'm looking for. I definitely not looking for rounds anyway!

HogieWan · #4 04-15-2009, 02:47 PM

LaBella tapes give more of a roundwound tone will the flat feel. you can get them at carvin.com for <$20/4 string set

Aurel · #5 04-15-2009, 02:52 PM

LaBella Deep talkin' bass flats might just be what you're looking for.

drnknmstr · #6 04-15-2009, 02:52 PM

I use LaBella Deep Talkin' flats. I've had Chromes and TIs, but really, in terms of fatness, the LaBellas added so much more meat. Especially with a .109 E!

JTE · #7 04-15-2009, 02:55 PM

I didn't like the TI's (tension was too low for me- made switching between my roundwound strung basses to the TI bass just too weird for me), and while they sound great, it's not really a traditional flatwound sound. I fouind my flats in the Lakland Joe Osborn set. The tension is about the same as the DR Hi-Beams and Sunbeams I use mostly, they have a definite note to them, but still have the traditional thump I expect from flats.

Very similar to, if not the same as, GHS Precision Flatwounds.

jte

precision punk · #8 04-15-2009, 03:19 PM

so JTE how much lower is the tension of the TIs compared to your roundwound basses or sunbeams?

JTE · #9 04-15-2009, 03:21 PM

I don't know. I never measured anything. But the way they felt under my right (plucking) had especially took a lot of adaptation from the rounds I normally use. I just couldn't dig in enough for me.

But I can't put any numbers to it.

jte

etoncrow · #10 04-15-2009, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aurel

LaBella Deep talkin' bass flats might just be what you're looking for.

I recently put together a Warmoth/Allparts/Fender fretless P-bass with Fralin 5% over pups. Since I had LaBella Deep Talkin flats on my Lakland Glaub I thought I would use TI Jazz flats on my new build. I also have the TI's on my fretless Corvette and I love them. But I hated the TI's on the P-bass. They sounded almost distorted. This afternoon I put Deep Talkin flats on it and they sound really righteous. I could describe it to you but it would not mean a thing since you are reading this and not hearing it.

precision punk · #11 04-15-2009, 03:27 PM

ohh ok its cuz i have sum fender ML flats on right now and the tension is pretty high so i was planning on investing on the TIs.. i tend to pluck pretty hard also hopefully the tension will be perfect in my eyes

precision punk · #12 04-15-2009, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by etoncrow

I recently put together a Warmoth/Allparts/Fender fretless P-bass with Fralin 5% over pups. Since I had LaBella Deep Talkin flats on my Lakland Glaub I thought I would use TI Jazz flats on my new build. I also have the TI's on my fretless Corvette and I love them. But I hated the TI's on the P-bass. They sounded almost distorted. This afternoon I put Deep Talkin flats on it and they sound really righteous. I could describe it to you but it would not mean a thing since you are reading this and not hearing it.

hi, when you said distorted in what way? like so low tension they were hitting the fretboard that the sound sounded distorted?

etoncrow · #13 04-15-2009, 03:42 PM

No, the strings were vibrating clear. They had an over drive type of sound like I was using an effects pedal of some sort. If I used effects I could describe this better to you but I don't so I can't. I lowered the pups. Still sounded strange. All I can tell you is that I thought it was the pickups until I changed the strings to LaBellas Deep Talkin and the fullness and tone I was looking for was there.

edit: But let me reiterate that I have TI Jazz flats on my Warwick Corvette fretless 5 and they sound fantastic. So go figure.

DavePlaysBass · #14 04-15-2009, 05:57 PM

To me you are describing exactly the way I would describe Labella 760FLs. There are fairly low tension (not as low as TIs but low for flats) and they have a low mid / deep thing going on. Great strings on a P.

http://imperialguitar.stores.yahoo.net/760fl.html

Aurel · #15 04-16-2009, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by etoncrow

But I hated the TI's on the P-bass. They sounded almost distorted. This afternoon I put Deep Talkin flats on it and they sound really righteous.

The main difference between TIs and LaBellas is very simple: the materials they are made of, which explains the differences in sound and feel.

TI's are NICKEL flats, while LaBellas are STAINLESS STEEL flats. This is the reason why some think that TIs have a "rockier" sound with more midrange, and also why the LaBellas have a deeper, mellower sound, with more "thump".

Hope that helps....

nemo · #16 04-16-2009, 04:26 AM

Go for LaBella 760L or Sadowsky regular gauge flats.

These will give you genuine vintage thump with enough definition and "normal" tension.

Chromes are softer and clankier, Fenders ML are thumpier but also much stiffer.

bassbully · #17 04-16-2009, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by etoncrow

No, the strings were vibrating clear. They had an over drive type of sound like I was using an effects pedal of some sort. If I used effects I could describe this better to you but I don't so I can't. I lowered the pups. Still sounded strange. All I can tell you is that I thought it was the pickups until I changed the strings to LaBellas Deep Talkin and the fullness and tone I was looking for was there.

edit: But let me reiterate that I have TI Jazz flats on my Warwick Corvette fretless 5 and they sound fantastic. So go figure.

WOW! I thought i was just me. I have my classic 50 P bass strung with TI JF. I could sware at times i too heard overtones or as you said an overdrive like effect. I asked others and they said they didnt hear it. My band is cutting a new CD and i did one song of 8 with this bass. I can hear on the low notes that bit of overdrive. Nobody thinks its much but its there. Its almost like the string bends out of tune a hair? Anyone else know of this ....TI users? This is funny you posted this i agree with you.

marco1977 · #18 04-16-2009, 08:17 AM

Thanks everybody. Interesting to see that other people have the same opinion on TI's as well. Those Labella's sound more of what I'm looking for. Still haven't ordered them though, so keep your opinions coming...

DavePlaysBass · #19 04-16-2009, 09:38 PM

To me one of the great features of TIs is the slight overdrive you get when you dig in. They definitely have a unique response to being played heavy handed.

king_biscuit · #20 04-17-2009, 12:53 AM

I found TIs way to floppy -- especially the super light A string. I like La Bellas much better.